Pranab slams attempts to vilify Nehru on Partition3

Mukherjee said it was a well-known fact that Jinnah's
two-nation theory, vigorously propagated by Muslim League with
the support of the then ruling colonial power, ultimately
resulted in Partition of India and creation of two countries -
India and Pakistan.

"From the late 30s, Jinnah and Muslim League
persistently pressurised the British government to concede to
their demands to establish Pakistan," he said.

The Minister said after the General Elections to
Provincial Assemblies in 1946 when Muslim League got absolute
majority in undivided Bengal and Sindh Legislative Assemblies
and fell short of majority in Punjab, the Muslim League
stepped up their demand for Pakistan and declared that August
16 be observed as 'Direct Action Day' all over India for
establishment of Pakistan.

On August 16, fierce communal riots broke out in
Kolkata and continued for several days. This triggered off the
worst communal riots in Bihar, Noakhali (Bengal), Punjab and
many other parts of the country.

In that context, the Cabinet Mission appointed by the
then British government along with Lord Mountbatten, Governor
General of India, presented the plan of Partition of India
into two countries.

This was ultimately accepted by the political
leadership including Congress, Muslim League, HMS and others,
he said. PTI